Реферат: Islamic Conquests Up To 700 Ad

neither empire devoted significant resources to the defence against the

Arabs.? Instead Arabian allies, like the

Ghassnids and the Lakhmids, were employed to keep the nomads in check.? In hindsight it is clear that if harnessed

correctly these nomadic tribes, and their sedentary and tribal brothers, could

provide an imposing and effective force.?

It was Muhammad and most significantly the new religion of Islam that

finally harnessed this power. It is important to note that Muhammad?s Islamic

state did not destroy the tribal system that underpinned Arabian life.? Instead, we should see the Islamic state as

a ?supra-tribe?.? Muhammad and Abu Bakr

utilised the strong control that tribal leaders could exert over their kinsmen

by associating a tribal leader with the state.?

The status of the leader and the status of the state were inextricably

linked.? Thus the Islamic state?s

leaders could rely on tribal leader?s to organise and control their own

tribesmen.? Therefore we see the Islamic

state, not as a mass of homogenous Muslims, but a series of tribes linked by

Islam and a common acceptance, at least in the early stages, of centralised

authority.? Significantly the nature of Islam

itself aided the development of social and political unity.? The umma, or community of believers, was

based on principles that encouraged not only political and social cohesion but

expansion. The monotheistic nature of Islam consciously implied the need to

expand.? Muslims were taught that the

House of Islam and the House of War were separate.? The people of the world could be sharply divided into Muslims and

non-Muslims, and as the Qu?ran says ?There is no God but God?.? By implying the universal and unique nature

of god, and the overriding moral authority of God, Islam provided the impetus

for political unification and centralisation.?

As Muhammad was God?s presence on earth it is easy to see how he was

associated with power.? His perceived

relationship with God aided the construction of a legal system less reliant on